Ready to Go! Don’t think so!
May, 2009
In mid May 2009 we loaded our Subaru Outback with tools and delivery gear, and set out for the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay to rescue the Grand Banks 46 ‘Cotytto’ from an apparently ‘overlong’ stay at a local boatyard. “If your Captain can be here on Sunday night she will be ready to go Monday morning!” were the words of the yard owner to our client.
This was how we found ‘Cotytto’ on Sunday afternoon – hauled out, no props, no batteries, both engine cooling systems apart, no fresh bottom paint and both fuel tanks open! Ready to go! Not Quite!
Why do owners new to boating continue to believe they can drop off their expensive, complex yacht, and expect all work to be accomplished on time and at the estimated cost, unsupervised? In our experience, without an owner or representative on site, disappointment and misunderstanding soon follows a project that is not closely monitored by all concerned.
Seven intensive days, and a demanding three page work list followed, before we were finally able to get underway for Newport, RI.
During the week the new owner expressed disbelief at our detailed progress reports, to which we suggested that he drive down to see for himself. He did, and pitched in to help with some of the heavier projects, such as a new engine room fire bottle.
Tasks completed included: Rebuilding the Caterpillar fresh and raw water pumps and cooling systems, flush both ‘Cat’ after coolers, replace the generator stop solenoid and heat exchanger and filters. Trim tab reservoir replacement, Refrigeration system charge, rub rail repair, windshield wiper replacement, cleaning both fuel tanks, props trued balanced and coated with Prop Speed and reinstalled, replacement of all 12 volt batteries, servicing of all seacocks, rebuilding of autopilot cylinder, and bottom paint touchup.
This is not exactly how most people see the job of a delivery captain, but our motto is, “Whatever it takes to get it done!”.
Once free of the muddy creek and the sticky embrace of the boatyard, we fueled ‘Cotytto’ at Jacks Point Marina in Oxford MD and departed the next morning. That evening we arrived at the Chesapeake Inn Marina, where the weather door slammed shut, and we had to hunker down the next day cleaning and organizing while the gale on the Delaware abated.
At first light Wednesday morning, we departed Chesapeake City and had a rough but uneventful 91 mile run to Atlantic City.
Thursday we ran up to Liberty Landing Marina in New Jersey, where the owner joined us for the 108 miles to Noank CT and then on to his home port of Newport R I.
Delivery Summary
Total Distance: 406 NM
Total Running Hours: 43
Average Speed: 9.4 knots
Average Fuel Burn: 12.5 GPH
To find out more about our services please visit our website at www.tayloryachtdelivery.com or email us at captjtandw@gmail.com
Taylor Yacht Delivery 